Adjustable seat accessory

ABSTRACT

A bicycle seat accessory that includes an adjustable seat and a rear seat accessory to provide a seating surface for a user and a rider or passenger. The adjustable seat is movable between a first and second position and when in the second position, the seating surface of the seat substantially aligns with the seating surface of the rear seat accessory to form a substantially continuous seating surface. The frame of the bicycle includes an accessory shelf onto which the rear seat accessory can be mounted. Additionally, the frame includes one or more brackets to which footpeg accessories can be mounted to provide foot rests for the passenger of the bicycle while seated on the rear seat accessory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/775,017 filed Jan. 28, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,358,666,which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/798,714, filed on Jan. 30, 2019, and entitled,“ADJUSTABLE SEAT ACCESSORY,” which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Bicycles are becoming an increasingly accepted and adoptedtransportation option. With current technology, electric bicycles arebecoming more widely available and a more popular option, or type, ofbicycle for use in transportation. Electric bicycles can assist a riderwith propelling the bicycle and/or can provide the total propulsion ofthe bicycle. As electric bicycles become more and more popular,accessories that increase the usability and/or comfort of the bicycleare needed. These may serve to increase both the adoption and utility ofthe bicycle, particularly for some users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle having an example adjustable seat in afirst position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bicycle having the example adjustable seat in asecond position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bicycle having the adjustable seat in the firstposition and an example seating accessory.

FIG. 4 illustrates the bicycle having the adjustable seat in the secondposition and the example seating accessory.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates the bicycle having an example storage accessory.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example footpeg accessory of the bicycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An example bicycle seat accessory and an example storage accessory aredescribed herein. Each of the accessories can be mounted to a bicycleusing mounting hardware and one or more attachment points of the frameof the bicycle. An adjustable seat of the bicycle can be moved orchanged between a raised, or first, position and a lowered, or second,position. A seat accessory can be installed on a rear shelf, or frame,of the bicycle, such that the seat accessory and seat align when theseat is in the lowered, or lowest, position. With the seat and seataccessory aligned, a user/driver and rider, or passenger, cancomfortably sit on the substantially continuous seating surface. Thebicycle can be an electric bicycle that a user can operate in a manual,or pedal, mode with the seat raised in a comfortable position for doingso (and provide the user with greater leverage on the pedals). Tocontrol propulsion of the bicycle using an electric motor, the user canactuate a throttle. The user can actuate the throttle at any time duringuse of the bicycle to engage the electric motor to propel, or assist inpropelling, the bicycle. In an operating mode that includes assistance,the electric motor can operate in coordination with the pedaling of theuser to propel the bicycle. When the seat is in the lowered arrangementor position, it may be uncomfortable for the user to operate the pedals,so the user can operate the bicycle in a self-propelled mode in whichthe user controls the speed of the bicycle by operating the throttlecontrol. As such, when the user and rider are riding the bicycle withthe seat accessory and seat aligned, the operation of the bicycle in theself-propelled mode can provide a more comfortable experience for boththe user and rider.

In embodiments that include a storage accessory, theaccessory/compartment can have a weatherproof, and/or waterproof,interior that protects contents stored within from the externalenvironment. The interior of the storage accessory can be protected fromunauthorized access by a locking element or mechanism that secures thestorage accessory.

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 100 having a frame 102 to which various elements,features and/or accessories can be affixed, attached and/or connected.The frame 102 includes a section 110 that is an accessory shelf. Theaccessory shelf 110 includes various attachment points 112 that can beused to attach one or more accessories to the shelf 110. In an example,the attachment points 112 can be threaded to allow screws, or otherthreaded fasteners, to be used to affix items, such as an accessory, tothe accessory shelf 110. In another example, the attachment points canbe openings through which a fastener, such as a bolt and nut, can bepassed through and secured. Alternatively, other securing elements, suchas a rope or elastic cords, can be passed through and/or secured to theattachment points 112. Accessories, and/or other items, can be securedreleasably, semi-permanently, or permanently to the accessory shelf 110using the attachment points 112.

In another embodiment, intermediate fastening elements, such as a quick,or easy, release fastener, can be affixed to the attachment point(s)112. The intermediate fastener can be affixed to the accessory shelf bythe attachment points 112 and can allow an accessory to be quicklyand/or easily attached and released from the intermediate fastener. Anaccessory can interface with the intermediate fastening element(s) toallow a user to easily and quickly attach and release an accessory fromthe accessory shelf 110 using the intermediate fastener(s).

The frame 102 can also include other attachment points 104 to whichother accessories can be fitted. The distribution of attachment points104 on the frame 102 allows for multiple accessories to be mounted tothe bicycle 100, such as storage, lighting, electronics, controls,safety and/or other accessories. In this way a user can customize and/oralter the features/functions of the bicycle 100 as needed or desired fordifferent uses or tasks.

A seat 120 for the user is also included on the bicycle 100. The seat120 includes a seating portion 122, on which the user sits, and a seatpost 124 that is connected to, or integrated with, the seating portion122. The position of the seat 120 can be adjusted by varying the amountof seat post 124 extended from the seat tube 106 of the frame 110.

A quick release clamp can be used to secure the position of the seat 120and allow the user to quickly and easily adjust the position, or height,of the seat 120 relative to the frame 102. Other suitable means ofsecuring the position or height of the seat 120 can also be used. In oneembodiment, the quick release clamp is a component of the seat 120. Inanother embodiment, the quick release clamp is a component of the frame102, though more specifically the seat tube 106.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the seat 120 is shown in a first, orraised, position corresponding to a typical height for a user tocomfortably and/or efficiently use the pedals 130 of the bicycle 100.The height of the seat 120 can be relative, or dependent, on the size ofthe user and can be adjusted based on the user's comfort when using thepedals 130 to propel, or assist in propelling, the bicycle 100. In anexample, the seat 120 can be positioned at a height to allow the user tocomfortably pedal the bicycle 100 using the pedals 130 and/or toincrease, or maximize, the efficiency of the user's power input to thebicycle 100.

The example bicycle 100 of FIG. 1 is an electric bicycle that includes apower source and motor to assist a user in propelling the bicycle 100.To propel the bicycle 100, a user can pedal using the pedals 130 and/ora throttle (not shown). Accordingly there are one or more operatingmodes of the bicycle 100; a manual mode, an assisted mode and/or aself-propelled, or powered, mode. In the manual operating mode, a userpedals the bicycle 100 using the pedals 130, substantially similar tousing a typical conventional bicycle. In the assisted mode, a userpedals the bicycle 100 using the pedals 130 and is aided by an electricmotor of the bicycle 100. In this manner, the power imparted topropelling the bicycle 100 is a combination of user-provided power viathe pedals 130 and power provided by the electric motor of the bicycle100. The amount of assistance imparted by the electric motor can bemanually varied, such as by the throttle or other user input or control,or can be automatically varied, such as by a control system of theelectric motor and/or bicycle 100. In the self-propelled mode, the useris not required to use the pedals 130; instead, the electric motorprovides the requisite power to propel the bicycle 100. In this mode,the user can actuate a throttle to adjust the power provided by theelectric motor and/or speed of the bicycle 100 and the operation of thebicycle 100 by the user can be substantially similar to the operation ofan electric scooter or motorcycle.

With the seat 120 in the first position, such as shown in FIG. 1, a userof the bicycle 100 can propel the bike in a manual, assisted, orself-propelled mode by use of the pedals 130 and/or a throttle (notshown). During pedaling and/or coasting of the bicycle 100, energy dueto motion of the pedals and/or wheels of the bicycle can be captured, orrecaptured, and stored as electrical energy in a battery, or other formof storage for energy. This energy capture/recapture, such as by agenerator and/or regenerative braking components, can allow the user toextend the usable range and/or time of the electric assistance and/orpropulsion of the bicycle 100. In one embodiment, the energy capturesystem(s) can be selectively and/or automatically activated to capture,or recapture, energy for storage in the battery. In another embodiment,the automatic activation of the energy capture/recapture system can bein response to detecting that the seat 120 has been lowered.

FIG. 2 shows the bicycle 100 with the seat 120 in a second, lowered,position. In the second position, the seat 120 is resting on, or isproximal to, the accessory shelf 110. This second position is a lowerposition than the first position and can be the lowest possible positionfor the seat 120. With the seat 120 positioned at the second position, auser may still be able to use the pedals 130 to propel the bicycle 100,however, the user's comfort of doing so may be diminished in comparisonwith their comfort with the seat 120 in the first position.Additionally, the second position may have reduced efficiency, and/orincreased fatigue, associated with the user using the pedals 130 whileseated on the seat 120.

In the second position, the seat 120 may be more comfortable for theuser when operating the bicycle 100 in the self-propelled mode, such aswhen the propulsion of the bicycle 100 is provided in part or wholly bythe electric motor. While seated on the seat 120 in the second position,a user can rest their feet on the pedals or foot rests (not shown) whileactuating the throttle and brakes to control the speed of the bicyclewhile operating the bicycle 100 using the electric motor, or drive.

To move the seat 120 from a position, such as the first position, to thesecond position, a user can actuate the quick release (or other form ofrelease mechanism) associated with the seat post to allow the seat 120to be moved between the positions. Alternatively, the seat post, and/oranother element or system, can allow, or assist with, movement of theseat 120 between positions automatically, or in an assisted mode (suchas by integration of a hydraulic component), in response to a userinput. That is, the seat 120 can be coupled to an element or system,such a dropper seat post, to allow a user to selectively lower and/orraise the seat 120 in response to a user input. Such a system allows theuser to easily adjust the position of the seat 120, such as from thefirst to the second position.

In an example embodiment, the positioning of the seat 120 in the secondposition can cause an activation, change and/or configuration of thebicycle and/or its systems/elements/features. Such a change in seatposition can be registered and/or detected by one or more systems and/orelements of the bicycle 100, such as a sensor and/or control system. Thedetection, sensing, and/or registration of the change in seat positioncan cause the activation, change and/or configuration of the bicycle 100to occur. For example, the change in seat 120 position can cause anoperating mode of the bicycle 100 to change, such as from the manual, orassisted, mode to the self-propelled mode. In another example, thechange in seat 120 position can activate a system of the bicycle, suchas a lighting system that includes a brake light. Various other systems,features and/or elements of the bicycle 100 can be activated, changed,configured and/or reconfigured in response to a change in the positionof the seat 120.

Note that other and/or alternative systems of the bicycle 100 can bereconfigured, configured, activated and/or deactivated in response tomovement of the seat 120 from one position to another. In anotherexample, movement of the seat 120 to the second position can cause alighting system of the bicycle 100 to become activated and/orreconfigured. In this example, positioning the seat 120 in the secondposition can cause a front and/or rear light, or light signaling system,to be activated and/or reconfigured, such as activation of a rear lightto function as a braking light. Although not certain, it may be assumedthat the user will operate the bicycle 100 in a self-propelled mode whenthe seat 120 is in the second position and a lighting system of thebicycle 100 can be configured and/or activated to support operation ofthe bicycle 100 in the self-propelled mode.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bicycle 100 with a rear seat accessory 140installed onto the accessory shelf 110. The rear seat accessory 140includes a seating surface 142, on which a rider can sit while beingtransported by a user using the bicycle 100. The seating surface 142 isprofiled and has a rear portion that is higher or thicker than a frontportion which abuts the seat 120. The higher rear portion allows therider, such as a passenger, to have an elevated or raised seatingposition. In an example, the raised seating position can allow thepassenger to have a sightline over the user of the bicycle 100. Anattachment element, such as a bolt or screw, and the attachment points112 (not shown) can be used to secure the rear seat accessory 140 to theaccessory shelf 110. The installation of the rear seat accessory 140 tothe accessory shelf 110 can be a releasable, semi-permanent, orpermanent attachment.

The rear seat accessory 140 can include a strap 144 going across theseating surface 142. The strap 144 can be grasped by a rider sitting onthe rear seat accessory 140 to assist them with maintaining theirposition on the rear seat accessory 140. Additionally, or alternatively,the strap 144 can be used to a secure small item(s) to the rear seataccessory 140 by securing the item(s) between the strap 144 and theseating surface 142. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the strap 144 isintegrated with, or attached to, the rear seat accessory 140. In analternative embodiment, the strap 144 can have one or both endsreleasably connected, or coupled, to the rear seat accessory 140.Additionally, the strap 144 can include additional material, and/orelements, to allow a length of the strap 144 to be varied, such aselongating or shortening the strap 144.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the seat 120 is shown in the first, oran upper, position. With the seat 120 at this position, the seatingportion 122 of the seat 120 and the seating surface 142 of the rear seataccessory 140 are not aligned. In this arrangement a rider and a usercan both be seated, one on the rear seat accessory 140 and the other onthe seat 120, however, it may be an uncomfortable, or less than optimal,arrangement for two people to be riding on the bicycle 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates the bicycle 100 having the rear seat accessory 140and the seat 120 in the second, lowered, position. In this arrangement,the rear seat accessory 140 and seat 120 can form a substantiallycontinuous seating element/surface, since at least a portion of theseating surface of 142 of the rear seat accessory 140 is substantiallyaligned with the seating portion 122 of the seat 120. With the seat 120in this position, aligned with the rear seat accessory 140, the twoelements can provide a more comfortable and/or optimal arrangement forthe rider and user in comparison with the example of FIG. 3.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the bicycle 100 can operate in anymode, however, the self-propelled operation mode may be a morecomfortable mode of operation due to the lowered seat 120 heightrelative to the pedals 130. A user and rider can be seated on the seat120 and rear seat accessory 140, respectively, while the user operatesthe bicycle 100 in the self-propelled mode. In such operation, both theuser and/or rider can rest their feet on foot support accessories, suchas foot rests, running boards or pegs or other elements, and/or thepedals 130, while propulsion of the bicycle 100 is controlled via a useroperated throttle control.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate the bicycle 100 with an example storage accessory150. The storage accessory 150 can be attached to the frame of thebicycle 100 using one or more attachment points, such as 104 of FIG. 1.The storage accessory 150 can include an upper portion 152, a lowerportion 154, an opening 156 and a strap 158. When the upper portion 152and lower portion 154 are closed, or engaged/sealed together, theinterior of the storage accessory 150 can effectively be weatherproofand/or waterproof, to protect the contents stored within. The strap 158can be used to secure the lower and upper portions closed and caninclude a locking mechanism, or element, to prevent unauthorized accessto the interior of the storage accessory 150. To allow easier and/orlimited access to the interior of the storage accessory 150, a liddedopening 156 can be included. A user can move the lid of the opening 156,to expose the opening and allow the user access to the contents, orinterior, of the storage accessory 150. Additionally, the releasableportion of the mounting hardware used to secure the storage accessory150 to the bicycle 100 can be located in the interior of the storageaccessory 150. When locked, or sealed, this arrangement can preventothers from accessing the mounting hardware and prevent unauthorizedremoval of the storage accessory 150 from the bicycle 100. In oneembodiment, the storage accessory 150 and the rear seat accessory 140are on opposing sides of the seat 120.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the bicycle 100 with a footpeg accessory 160. Thefootpeg accessory 160 can provide a place for a rider, such as apassenger sitting on the rear seat accessory 140, to rest their feet.The footpeg accessory 160 includes a bracket 162 that is welded to,integrated with, or attached to an uptube 108 of the frame 102 of thebicycle 100. Alternatively, the bracket 162 can be molded with theuptube 108, such that the bracket 162 and the uptube 108 are a singlepiece. The uptube 108 can be a portion of the frame 102 that assists insupporting the accessory shelf 110.

The bracket 162 includes an opening 164 into which a footpeg 166 can beinserted or secured. In an example, the opening 164 can be a threadedopening and the footpeg 166 can include a threaded end that can bescrewed into the opening 164 to secure the footpeg 166 to the frame 102of the bicycle 100. In an embodiment, a portion of the footpeg accessory160, such as the footpeg 166, can be retractable, foldable, oradjustable to allow the footpeg accessory 160 to change configuration,such as from an extended configuration or position to a stowed or aretracted configuration or position, such as shown in FIG. 6C. Thefootpeg 166 can include a hinge to allow a portion of the footpeg 166 tobe rotated up or down to move it into the retracted position. In anexample, the footpeg 166 can include a first portion that can be securedto a bracket and a second portion that is hinged or rotatably coupled tothe first portion to allow the second portion to be rotated up or downto retract or stow the footpeg 166.

In another example, the opening 164 can be on a side portion of thebracket 162, such that the footpeg 166 can be attached by detents,clips, dovetail joints, tongue and groove, snap fit, the like, orcombinations thereof. The footpeg 166 can be retractable, foldable,adjustable, or hingedly attached to the bracket 162. In yet anotherexample, the bracket 162 and the footpeg 166 can be a single piece thatcan be permanently or removably affixed or attached to the bicycle 100,such as to the frame 102.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be used forrealizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A bicycle, comprising: a first seat; a shelf; and a second seathaving a seating surface and disposed on a top surface of the shelf;wherein the first seat is configured to be adjusted into multiplepositions, including: a first position higher than a position of thesecond seat disposed on the top surface of the shelf, and a secondposition that is level within the second seat disposed on the topsurface of the shelf.
 2. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the seatingsurface of the second seat includes a first portion and a second portionthat is higher than the front portion.
 3. The bicycle of claim 1,wherein a first portion of the seating surface is proximate to a rear ofthe front seat.
 4. The bicycle of claim 1, further comprising: a frame,wherein the shelf is part of the frame.
 5. The bicycle of claim 1,wherein the shelf includes an attachment point to permit coupling of thesecond seat to the shelf
 6. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the secondseat is fixed to the shelf via a fastener, a threaded fastener, a screw,or a nut and bolt.
 7. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the second seatincludes a strap extending across the seating surface.
 8. The bicycle ofclaim
 1. wherein the bicycle is an electric bicycle.
 9. A seat for usewith a bicycle, the seat comprising: a seating surface having a rearportion and a front portion, wherein a thickness of the rear portion ofthe seating surface is greater than a thickness of the front portion ofthe seating surface; and an attachment portion that is configured toattach the seat to the bicycle.
 10. The seat of claim 9, wherein theattachment portion is configured to releasably attach the seat to anaccessory shelf of the bicycle.
 11. The seat of claim 9, wherein theattachment portion is configured to permanently attach the seat to anaccessory shelf of the bicycle.
 12. The seat of claim 9, wherein theattachment portion is configured to attach the seat to a rear portion ofa frame of the bicycle.
 13. The seat of claim 9, further comprising: oneor more fasteners, wherein the attachment portion includes one or moreattachment points that facilitate attachment of the seat to an accessoryshelf of the bicycle via the one or more fasteners.
 14. The seat ofclaim 9, further comprising: a strap that extends across the seatingsurface of the seat.
 15. The seat of claim 9, wherein the seatingsurface has a profile that is higher at the rear portion of the seatingsurface with respect to the front portion of the seating surface.
 16. Anelectric bicycle, comprising: a seat moveable between a raised positionand a lowered position; and a control system that modifies anoperational mode of the electric bicycle based on a position of theseat, wherein the control system modifies the operational mode of theelectric bicycle to a self-propelled mode when the seat is moved intothe lowered position.
 17. The electric bicycle of claim 16, wherein thecontrol system activates a light signaling system of the electricbicycle when the seat is moved into the lowered position.
 18. Theelectric bicycle of claim 16, wherein the control system modifies theoperational mode of the electric bicycle to an assisted mode when theseat is moved into the raised position.
 19. The electric bicycle ofclaim 16, wherein the control system causes a rear light of the electricbicycle to operate as a braking light when the seat is moved into thelowered position.
 20. The electric bicycle of claim 16, wherein theself-propelled mode is associated with a user of the electric bicycleadjusting a speed of the electric bicycle via a throttle of the electricbicycle.